Zeitgeist
In case you didn't already know about The Wiggle, the Lower Haight bike route now has musical PSA announcing its presence. Perhaps more interesting is the fact that no one in the video was unceremoniously given wedgie by Zeitgeist's bouncers--that place is really blossoming into adulthood.
Previously on Uptown Almanac
The final taboo of Mission drinking has been broken:
It remains to be seen whether this a classic case of "do as I say, not as I do" or, in fact, proof that Zeitgeist is finally abandoning their ironic "no photos" policy so the bartenders can tweet out pics of their tats. No matter, this whole "social media" push, coupled with their removal of the disgustingly endearing portapotties last summer, leaves me worried that the Zeitgeist I once knew is hanging up the sleeveless jean jacket and getting a desk job.
Previously on Uptown Almanac
The construction of the new skatepark slated to be build behind Zeitgeist at Duboce and Mission has been running a bit behind schedule this year, but things are finally starting to look up. According to the SF Skateboarding Association, the Rec. & Park Department was "signing off on taking over maintenance responsibilities for the park" back in October, the air quality assessment is all wrapped up, and the request for proposals from construction companies is out.
Now, according to the SF Appeal, Tony Hawk is donating $10,000 to help fund the project later this afternoon:
Skateboarders in San Francisco wanting to be like Tony Hawk just got a boost from the skating legend himself--the city announced today that Hawk is giving a $10,000 grant to a new South of Market skate park.
The grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation is helping to fund the SOMA West Skate Park, located at Mission Street and Duboce Avenue, and improve other skate parks around the city, according to San Francisco's Recreation and Park Department.
They're now saying construction will start this spring and the park will be open come fall, and they're still going with that awful "SOMA West Skate Park" name (who even refers to that slice of The Mission as SOMA anyway?), but it looks as though things are actually happening.
Previously on Uptown Almanac
...and replaced them with additional seating for a caucasian tamale lady.
But seriously, there are new wood, concrete, and sheet metal bathrooms that look more like Dr. Teeth than scrappy motorcycle dive that seats 290 drunks. But as a former Zeitgeist bartender reminded me when talking about the changes, Zeitgeist translates from German as "the spirit of the times." Valencia has been repaved, sidewalks widened, and made safe for valet parking. The motorcycle, messenger, and gearhead clientele has been pushed away and the bar's "surly" bartenders and bouncers is seen more as a cute, if not kitschy feature than a legitimate force of disgust.
Maybe Zeitgeist is just getting with the times.
Previously on Uptown Almanac
Wendy MacNaughton, illustrator of the killer "Meanwhile, Mission Bartenders" that appeared in The Rumpus, just published a bunch of b-sides to her blog, including this sketch of the front step into Zeitgeist. Like Wendy, I've always been curious about what "Lally's" was all about, but figured the bartenders' time would be better spent blowing off another customer's question. Wendy, on the other hand, got the scoop:
this is the doorstep of what is now Zeitgeist, but was once ice cream shop that doubled as a speakeasy during the prohibition years. ice cream was served upstairs, booze down below. the original tile entry remains.
Not that I don't enjoy a good tamale in a buck with my pint, but ice cream with an speakeasy in the basement? Sounds like my dream come true.
Wendy MacNaughton over at The Rumpus has put together a solid pictorial of mission bars from the eyes of bartenders. While the whole thing is worth checking out, one of the best parts was the segment dealing with regulars never staying at one bar. I've done that fourth dance a few times myself, only sub Delirium for another bar that isn't a perpetual nightmare.
[The Rumpus, h/t Mission Mission]
After three weeks of miserable weather--two of which our dear friend Zeitgeist was closed for renovations--I took the opportunity yesterday to soak up the moisture at the Marina's favorite outdoor oasis. For everyone who was pulling for Zeitgeist to get some real bathrooms while renovating: sorry, those were left untouched. But what they did do was completely gut their bar, add more taps, and build some windows behind the bar that allow bartenders to serve drinks directly to patrons on the back deck (who knows if they'll ever do that, of course).
Other oddities that sprang up over the last two weeks include a bunch of new computerized cash registers, complete with credit card swiping capabilities and a receipt printers. Amazed, I slapped my maxed-out Visa on the table and asked if "those things" worked and if they were accepting credit cards as substitute for legal tender. "No fucking way." The bartender did not seem to like tapping the screen, not that those bartenders seem to like much of anything.
Sitting outside, despite my attempts to drink my beer, my glass never seemed to empty, it just became increasingly watered-down with ever sip.
I have the sniffles today.
Previously on Uptown Almanac
I already ejaculated all over Ike's vegan version of the same sandwich (summary: it's really good!), so I feel it is my duty that there is a cheap, meat-filled version available now at Zeitgeist. I wasn't able to review the dish myself, but I'd personally lose my shit for any sandwich that was filled with mashed taters.
Also, my friends and I snapped a photo in Zeitgeist. We're such badasses.
Previously on Uptown Almanac
Despite how much we shit on the Chronicle, they occasionally run an interesting piece. For example, yesterday they profiled local bouncers, including our pal Sam of Bender's:
How do you spot a fake ID?
The feel. If the numbers don't match up. Black light. Anything that looks questionable, I just send them away.What's the worst excuse you've heard for not having an ID?
"It's my 21st birthday. Do I really need an ID?"
Probably my favorite part of the piece was Bill of Zeitgeist:
What's the worst excuse you've heard for not having an ID?
"I just came from the Marina."
Anyway, check out the full piece.
(Hat tip Mission Loc@l)
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